Border Agency raid uncovers illegal workers

A raid on an Indian restaurant discovered three illegal workers.

A raid on the Red Rose restaurant in Woodley discovered three illegal workers

A raid on an Indian restaurant discovered three illegal workers.

Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) arrested the men after targeting Red Rose Indian Cuisine, in Woodley.

Another worker was detained following a raid on Moon's Grill takeaway, in Oxford Road, West Reading.

The UKBA visit to the Indian restaurant in Headley Road, on Thursday, January 10, found a 43-year-old man from India and two Bangladeshi men, aged 25 and 24, who had overstayed their visas.

Earlier in the day, officers had arrested a 29-year-old Pakistani man who was working in breach of his student visa in Moon's Grill.

All four men have been detained pending their removal from the UK and the businesses involved have been warned they could face fines of up to £10,000 per illegal worker unless they can prove they carried out the proper checks.

Paul Smith, head of Thames Valley enforcement for the UKBA, said: "Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigrations and damaging the majority of legitimate businesses who play by the rules.

"That is why we have the power to hit those who break the law with heavy fines.

"This is the latest in a series of raids we've carried out in Berkshire and more are planned in the future. For those who are in the country illegally, there is no hiding place."